Obama Victory in N.C. Resolves Nomination FightRandy Shawbyline‚ May. 06‚ 2008The campaign between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has gone on so long that even political junkies are eager for it to wind up. I wrote on April 22 that it would be up to North Carolina voters on May 6 to end Clinton’s campaign for good, and despite Reverend Wright and a traditional media intent on ignoring key issues and electoral math, nothing has changed my analysis. The last week has significantly altered the prevailing narrative that the two candidates have largely identical views. Clinton’s support for a summer waiver of the federal gas tax, her attack on economists opposing the waiver as “elitists,” her willingness to “obliterate” Iran, and her Indiana mailer accusing Obama of infringing on gun owner’s rights reflect a neo-Cold Warrior candidate who will move as far to the right as necessary to get what she wants. Half of the remaining pledged delegates will be decided tonight, and, if she loses North Carolina, even a national media desperate to prolong this race will be urging Clinton to drop out. This race is about delegates, not a mythical “electability,” and with African-Americans comprising 40% of the state’s early voting electorate, Obama should finally “close the deal.” |